BUENOS AIRES - World Jewish groups denounced plans by Argentina and Iran to form a truth commission to investigate the deadly 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish community center that Argentine courts say was sponsored by Iran.

The commission, announced during the weekend, was seen as a minor diplomatic victory for Iran as it fights a US-led effort to isolate Tehran because of its nuclear program.

Argentine courts have said Iran was behind the attack on the Jewish center, which killed 85 people. The commission agreement, which will have to be approved by Argentina's Congress, outlines plans for Argentine officials to interview suspects in Iran - not in a third country, as originally proposed by Argentina.

"Forming a joint truth commission with Iran is a farce," Shimon Samuels, Paris-based director of international relations for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, told Reuters on Monday.

"It will whitewash terrorism and encourage the mullahs to become patrons of further attacks."